My name is Yali Ziv, and I am a Tel Aviv based Illustrator. I have always fascinated by naïve art and tribal art. African, Aboriginal-Australian, and Islamic arts, in particular, have influenced my aesthetic touch, focusing mainly on textiles and patterns. The world of fashion and textiles really fascinates me, especially the combination of textiles and shapes and colors. My favorite artist of all times is definitely Matisse. My love for bright colors is completely inspired by his paintings, and the same goes for his paper cuttings!
The things I like the most about illustration are working with shapes and colors. My greatest love is paper cuttings and pencil sketching; I work usually with geometrical shapes and solid bright colors. Most of my work is with commercial brands that are mainly related to design, fashion and lifestyle, that have ideas and projects that I connect and relate to.
I think that the most important thing in an illustrations development and creation process is to truly understand your strengths and strong points and know how to use them wisely. Sometimes, our weaknesses and the things that we aren’t so good at, are the base of having a unique and individual language. That unique language is what makes my brand different from others, and help me to stand out. In particular, I am interested in social issues and the way that people are depicted. Our definition of ‘beauty’ is a very narrow one, so I love experimenting with different skin colors and body shapes that show how diverse we really are.
Usually, I’m not the person who is printing and producing my illustrations, because the design studios and clients I work with are in charge of it. But when I print my works to sell them, I always think of the best way to print and pack them in the greenest way possible. This is why I really love what noissue are doing, and I couldn’t wait to have a collaboration with them!